How to Play Tavli — Portes, Plakoto & Fevga [2026]

The Basics in 2 Minutes

Tavli is played by two players on a board with 24 points. Each player has 15 checkers and rolls two dice to move them toward their home board.

The goal is to bring all your checkers into the last quarter of the board and then bear them off. Whoever bears off all 15 checkers first wins the game.

• 15 checkers per player — 30 total on the board
• 24 points (triangles), divided into 4 quadrants of 6
• 2 dice per turn
• Doubles are played 4 times
• Win by bearing off all your checkers first

How Checkers Move

Each die corresponds to one move. If you roll 6-3, you can move one checker 6 points and another 3, or the same checker first 6 then 3 — as long as both intermediate points are legal.

A point with two or more of your checkers is closed to the opponent. This simple rule creates all the strategy: you build points, open lanes and try not to leave easy targets.

The Three Greek Variants

In Greece tavli is traditionally played as a trio: Portes, Plakoto and Fevga. Portes is classic backgammon, Plakoto is based on pinning, and Fevga is a pure positioning game with no hitting.

If you are just starting out, learn Portes first. You will quickly grasp movement, bearing off, and the concept of a closed point — after that, the other two variants will feel much more natural.

Your First Game

Don't try to memorise perfect moves at first. Play slowly, keep your checkers connected, and notice when you're leaving blots that your opponent can hit.

After a few games you will start recognising patterns: when to run, when to build points, and when to risk a hit.

The Three Phases of Every Game

Every tavli game has three distinct phases. Recognising them makes you a much more effective player.

Opening (first 5–8 moves): the goal is to build key points, develop checkers from the 13-point, and decide whether to run the back checkers or hold an anchor. Don't rush to escape — premature running lets the opponent build freely.

Mid-game: contact, hitting, and construction. Here you decide whether to play aggressively (primes, hitting) or defensively (racing, holding position). Endgame: bearing off. Wins and losses are often decided by how efficiently you bear off. Even small mistakes in the bear-off cost games.

The 5 Most Common Beginner Mistakes

1. Running too early. Many beginners rush to escape the 24-point without strategic reason, losing the chance to build strong positions.

2. Leaving too many blots at once. One blot is acceptable risk. Three or four blots simultaneously is a recipe for disaster.

3. Not using doubles properly. Doubles are your most powerful rolls. Instead of playing them automatically, think which move changes the game most.

4. Applying the same logic to every position. Strategy changes depending on whether you are ahead or behind in the pip count. Ahead: avoid contact. Behind: create disruption.

5. Breaking good positions needlessly. When you have a prime or closed home board, keep it as long as possible. Many players break strong positions as soon as they feel "far enough ahead".

Why Play Online

Online tavli lets you play without needing to find a partner. You play against an AI opponent that responds immediately, you can try all three variants, and start a new game whenever you want.

On Tavli.net you play Portes, Plakoto and Fevga free in the browser — no installation, no sign-up. Ideal for practice before playing with friends.